The Tallaght Trust Fund was established in 1987 with private sector contributions to promote economic development and enterprise in the Tallaght area, and is in effect a ‘lender of last resort’ for small businesses who find it difficult to secure loans through mainstream banks.

The fund is a ‘revolving loan fund’, which relies on loan repayments to fund new loans. It offers small amounts to clients, usually to purchase tools and equipment.  The success of the Fund to date can be judged by the fact that, despite a relatively small seed capital and the high -risk nature of the market being served, the Fund continues to manage a portfolio of loans and consider new applications from the local economy on a continuous basis.

Tallaght Trust Fund Limited also provides financial advice and assistance to various Partas programmes, projects and clients.

In addition to its general loan fund, Tallaght Trust Fund Limited administers the Worker Co-operative Revolving Loan Fund. The initial finance for this fund came from FÁS, and it covers the entire country. It is designed to assist Worker Co-operatives to access loan finance on similar terms to other small businesses, which they have difficulty in doing because of the legal structure of Worker Co-operatives.

Partas has also developed effective working relationships with First Step, which provides loans to small start up businesses, and South Dublin County Enterprise Board, which provides grant assistance and preference share investment for new and developing businesses.